The experiment was carried out aiming to evaluate the effect of ethylene concentrations on the quality and occurrence of physiological disorders on Fuji apples stored in controlled atmosphere (CA) with 1kPa O2 / 0,2kPa CO2 at 0.5ºC. The treatments applied were: 0.25; 20; and 800<FONT FACE=Symbol>m<img src="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v31n6/Image8.gif" BORDER=0></FONT>.L-1 ethylene. The evaluations were accomplished after nine months of storage, at the opening of the chambers and after seven days in shelf life (25ºC). Only the fruits kept at 800<FONT FACE=Symbol>m<img src="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v31n6/Image8.gif" BORDER=0></FONT>.L-1 ethylene during storage period were influenced by the ethylene, showing higher respiration and ethylene biosynthesis, lower firmness and more yellow background color of the peel than those stored with 0.25 or 20<FONT FACE=Symbol>m<img src="http:/img/fbpe/cr/v31n6/Image8.gif" BORDER=0></FONT>.L-1. Fuji apples presented low sensibility to high ethylene concentrations during storage in AC, therefore absorption is not recomended in commercial storage rooms.
Malus domestica; postharvest; phytohormone; conservation; quality
